ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19 deliberates on strategy to ensure COVID-19 vaccines’ availability and its delivery mechanism
National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19, met for the first time on 12th August. The meeting was chaired by Dr V K Paul, Member Niti Aayog along with Secretary  as co-Chair.
The expert group deliberated on conceptualization and implementation mechanisms for creation of a digital infrastructure for inventory management and delivery mechanism of the vaccine including tracking of vaccination process with particular focus on last mile delivery. They discussed on broad parameters guiding the selection of COVID-19 vaccine candidates for the country and sought inputs from Standing Technical Sub-Committee of National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization . The group delved on the procurement mechanisms for COVID-19 vaccine, including both indigenous and international manufacturing along with guiding principles for prioritization of population groups for vaccination.
The expert group discussed on the financial resources required for procurement of COVID-19 vaccine and various options of financing the same. Available options in terms of delivery platforms, cold chain and associated infrastructure for roll out of COVID-19 vaccination were also taken up. Further, strategy and follow-up action on all possible scenarios to ensure equitable and transparent delivery of vaccine was deliberated upon. Issues related to vaccine safety and surveillance were taken up and strategy for community involvement through transparent information and awareness creation were discussed.
India’s support to its key neighbors and development partner countries for COVID-19 vaccines was deliberated upon. The expert group discussed that India will leverage domestic vaccine manufacturing capacity and will also engage with all international players for early delivery of vaccines not only in India but also in low and middle income countries.
The Committee also advised all the States not to chart separate pathways of procurement.
Prime Minister's Office
PM praises healthcare workers and nurses for reducing vaccine waste
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has praised healthcare workers and nurses for setting an example in reducing vaccine wastage.
Quoting a tweet from the Chief Minister of Kerala, Pinarayi Vijayan, the Prime Minister tweeted:
“Good to see our healthcare workers and nurses set an example in reducing vaccine wastage. Reducing vaccine wastage is important in strengthening the fight against COVID-19.”
Ministry of Science & Technology
Ultra-sensitive, easy to use sensor can detect arsenic in food & water in 15 minutes
Dr. Vanish Kumar, an Inspire Faculty Fellow, has developed an ultra-sensitive, easy-to-use sensor for detecting arsenic contamination in water and food samples in 15 minutes. The developed sensor is highly sensitive, selective, involves a single step, and is applicable for various water and food samples. The developed sensor can be easily operated by a common man by just correlating the colour change  with the standard labels.
The sensor developed by Dr. Kumar recipient of INSPIRE Faculty fellowship of the Department of Science & Technology, GoI and currently positioned at the National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute , Mohali, can be tested with three modes- spectroscopic measurements, colour intensity measurement with the help of colorimeter or mobile application, and with naked eyes.
Developed on mixed metal  based metal-organic frameworks, it can detect a wide range of arsenic- from 0.05 ppb to 1000 ppm. In the case of paper and colorimetric sensors, the colour of the Metal-Organic Framework  changes from purple to blue after interaction with arsenic. The intensity of the blue colour increases with an increase in the concentration of arsenic.
It has been tested successfully for the fabrication of spectroscopic as well as paper-based tools for testing Arsenic in groundwater, rice extract, and plum juice. This research has been accepted for publication in ‘Chemical Engineering Journal’.
Identification of arsenic before consumption of water and food is imperative to protect common man from the possible health issues associated with arsenic. However, none of the existing methods of detection can be easily used by the common man.
The developed testing kit is 500 times more sensitive in comparison to the improved version of the Molybdenum-blue test, which is one of the most common  tests used for the sensing of arsenic ions. It is also economical and simple as compared to the other commonly used analytical techniques such as Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy  and Inductively-coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry , which required expensive set-ups, lengthy and complicated methodologies, skilled operators, complex machinery, and difficult sample preparations. Dr. Vanish Kumar’s team is the first to explore MOF for the sensing of arsenic ions on the basis of Mo-As interaction.
“The non-availability of sensitive and selective sensing method for arsenic ions is worrisome for our society. Considering this as a challenge, we started working on the development of a rapid and sensitive detection method for arsenic. The specific interaction between molybdenum and arsenic was known. So, we made material consisting of molybdenum and a catalyst , which can give signals generated from molybdenum and arsenic interaction. After several attempts, we were able to develop a mixed metal MOF for the specific, one-step, and sensitive detection of arsenic ions,” said Dr. Kumar, explaining his research.
For more details, Dr. Vanish Kumar (vanish.saini01[at]gmail[dot]com, jagdish.chander0902[at]gmail[dot]com,vanish@nabi.res.in, can be contacted.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
More than 3 lakh 57 thousand people participated in Ayushman Bharat block level Health Melas on 19th April; 490 blocks organized Health Melas on day two across the country
More than 60,000 ABHA Health IDs created; 21,000 PMJAY Golden Cards issued and 25,000 teleconsultations done
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare  in collaboration with States and Union Territories is celebrating the 4th Anniversary of Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres  under Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav from 16th April to 22nd April 2022. The celebrations are being carried out with great enthusiasm and fervour across the country. Union Health minister, Health Minister of States/UTs, MPs, MLAs, senior officials of the Union Health Ministry, Principal Health secretaries/ Health secretaries of States/UTs, senior officials of the State Health department, representatives and local dignitaries are also visiting the AB-HWCs and creating awareness among the public reading the importance of AB-HWCs in providing affordable and accessible Health care.
From 18th-22nd April 2022, Block level Health Melas at more than one lakh AB-HWCs in at least one block in each district of the State/UT are being organised across the country. Each block level Health Mela would be for one day and each block in the State/UT will be covered.
On the second day of the Health Mela, more than 3 lakh 57 thousand people participated and around 490 blocks organized Health Melas across the country. Further, more than 60,000 ABHA Health IDs were created and 21,000 PMJAY Golden Cards issued in addition to thousands of screenings being done for Hypertension, diabetes etc.
Record 3 lakh teleconsultations through e-Sanjeevani platform were done in a day at Ayushman Bharat - Health and Wellness Centres  on 16th April 2022. This has been the highest number of teleconsultations ever done at AB-HWCs on a single day, surpassing its earlier record of 1.8 lakh teleconsultations per day. On 19th April 2022, more than 25,000 teleconsultations were done throughout the country.
The state-wise Block Health Mela report as on 19.04.2022 is as under:
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID - 19 Vaccination Update - Day 536
India’s cumulative vaccination coverage crosses 198.19 Crore
More than 8 lakh Vaccine doses administered today till 7 pm
India’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage has crossed 198.19 Crore  today. More than 8 lakh  Vaccine Doses have been administered till 7 pm today. The daily vaccination tally is expected to increase with the compilation of the final reports for the day by late tonight.
The cumulative coverage of vaccine doses, segregated based on population priority groups, is as follows:
|
|
Cumulative Vaccine Dose Coverage
|
|
HCWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
10409260
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
10068538
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
5774485
|
|
FLWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
18424776
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
17631646
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
10560140
|
|
Age Group 12-14 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
37072894
|
|
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
24297357
|
|
Age Group 15-18 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
60568571
|
|
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
49192384
|
|
Age Group 18-44 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
558417773
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
502757647
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
3394636
|
|
Age Group 45-59 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
203474532
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
193766477
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
2774750
|
|
Over 60 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
127286831
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
121045425
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
25052676
|
|
Cumulative 1st dose administered
|
|
1015654637
|
|
Cumulative 2nd dose administered
|
|
918759474
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
47556687
|
|
Total
|
|
1981970798
Today’s achievement in the vaccination exercise, segregated by population priority groups, is as follows:
|
|
Date: 5th July, 2022 
|
|
HCWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
50
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
393
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
13786
|
|
FLWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
121
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
904
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
57871
|
|
Age Group 12-14 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
67087
|
|
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
124252
|
|
Age Group 15-18 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
18687
|
|
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
62404
|
|
Age Group 18-44 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
23613
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
199947
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
63634
|
|
Age Group 45-59 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
3337
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
46798
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
30207
|
|
Over 60 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
3193
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
30953
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
133604
|
|
Cumulative 1st dose administered
|
|
116088
|
|
Cumulative 2nd dose administered
|
|
465651
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
299102
|
|
Total
|
|
880841
The vaccination exercise as a tool to protect the most vulnerable population groups in the country from COVID-19 continues to be regularly reviewed and monitored at the highest level.
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
Centre asks States to take disclosures of stock of edible oilseeds and oils with the millers and stockist
Move to check the unfair practices and bring transparency in the availability of edible oils
In a move to check the unfair practices of any and bring transparency in the availability of edible oils, Centre has asked States to take disclosures of stock of edible oilseeds and oils with the millers and stockist.
This move is being made to ensure that there is no unfair practice and consequent rise of edible oils due to hoarding of any kind.
This is not a stock limitation order of any kind.
The Secretary, Food and Public Distribution is expected to take a meeting with State officials tomorrow to take the matter further and ensure that compliance is done appropriately.
Prime Minister's Office
PM lauds site clearance for Greenfield Airport project at Kottayam 
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has lauded the site clearance of over 2250 acres land by Ministry of Civil Aviation for Greenfield Airport project at Kottayam .
Sharing a tweet by Ministry of Civil Aviation, the Prime Minister tweeted:
“Great news for tourism and especially spiritual tourism.”
Prime Minister's Office
PM expresses delight as Meghalaya gets electric trains for the first time
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has expressed delight as Meghalaya gets electric trains for the first time after Indian Railways completed the electrification of important sections between Abhayapuri – Pancharatna; Dudhnai – Mendipathar.
Sharing a tweet by PIB Meghalaya, the Prime Minister tweeted;
“Wonderful news for Meghalaya and furthering connectivity in the Northeast.”
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Recruitment by UPSC
The Union Public Service Commission  conducts Direct Recruitment  to various Group ‘A’ and Group ‘B’  posts based on the number of vacancies reported by the Ministries/ Departments/ Union Territories. The vacancies reported and recommendations made by the Commission during the last five years are as follows:
Details of vacancies reported and candidates recommended by the UPSC during the last five years through Structured Examination
|
|
Year
|
|
Vacancy reported
|
|
Candidates recommended|
|
2014-15
|
|
6911
|
|
5969
|
|
2015-16
|
|
6562
|
|
5659
|
|
2016-17
|
|
5065
|
|
4612
|
|
2017-18
|
|
4600
|
|
4829
|
|
2018-19
|
|
4204
|
|
3890
Details of vacancies reported and candidates recommended by the UPSC during the last five years through Direct Recruitment by Selection
|
|
Year
|
|
Vacancy reported
|
|
Candidates recommended|
|
2014-15
|
|
1729
|
|
2303
|
|
2015-16
|
|
2577
|
|
1207
|
|
2016-17
|
|
1808
|
|
1123
|
|
2017-18
|
|
1291
|
|
1465
|
|
2018-19
|
|
1190
|
|
510Number of candidates recommended does not exactly correspond to the vacancies reported in that particular year as recruitment process was spilled over to next year in some cases.
There has been decline in vacancies reported from 2016-17 which led to corresponding decline in number of candidates recommended by the Commission.
This was stated by the Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Dr. Jitendra Singh in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Minority Affairs
Petitions disposed and hearings held by NCM
The National Commission for Minorities has received 168 petitions in the last one month , out of which 73 have been disposed off. In the remaining 95 cases, action has been initiated and reports have been called. During the whole year, 1,895 petitions have been received out of which 1,422 have been disposed off.
From 1.12.2022 to 17.1.2023, National Commission for Minorities held 15 hearings and gave suitable directions to the concerned authorities to resolve the issues at the earliest. During the whole year 40 hearings were held in the Commission.
Prime Minister's Office
PM praises Light and Sound Show at Red Fort in New Delhi
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has shared glimpses from Light and Sound Show at Red Fort in New Delhi.
Sharing a tweet by Union Minister for Culture and Tourism, Shri G Kishan Reddy, the Prime Minister tweeted;
“An added reason to visit the Red Fort! An informative and modern way to recall our history and heritage.”
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
India’s Cumulative COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage exceeds 177.50 Cr
Nearly 5 lakh Vaccine Doses administered in the last 24 hours
Recovery Rate currently stands at 98.56%
8,013 New Cases reported in the last 24 hours
India's Active Caseload currently stands at 1,02,601
Weekly Positivity Rate is presently at 1.17%
With the administration of nearly 5 lakh Doses  vaccine doses in the last 24 hours, India’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage has exceeded 177.50 Cr  as per provisional reports till 7 am today.
This has been achieved through 2,03,49,590 sessions. The break-up of the cumulative figure as per the provisional report till 7 am today include:
|
|
Cumulative Vaccine Dose Coverage
|
|
HCWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
1,04,01,535
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
99,66,398
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
41,70,997
|
|
FLWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
1,84,09,452
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
1,74,41,370
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
62,17,332
|
|
Age Group 15-18 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
5,47,94,459
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
2,74,87,370
|
|
Age Group 18-44 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
55,17,49,258
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
44,38,98,708
|
|
Age Group 45-59 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
20,22,64,101
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
18,00,84,662
|
|
Over 60 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
12,64,03,004
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
11,21,74,641
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
96,23,048
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
2,00,11,377
|
|
Total
|
|
1,77,50,86,335
16,765 patients have recovered in the last 24 hours and the cumulative tally of recovered patients  is now at 4,23,07,686.
Consequently, India’s recovery rate stands at 98.56%.
8,013 new cases were reported in the last 24 hours.
India’s Active Caseload is presently at 1,02,601. Active cases constitute 0.24% of the country's total Positive Cases.
The testing capacity across the country continues to be expanded. The last 24 hours saw a total of 7,23,828 tests being conducted. India has so far conducted over 76.74 Cr  cumulative tests.
While testing capacity has been enhanced across the country, Weekly Positivity Rate in the country currently stands at 1.17% and the Daily Positivity rate is reported to be 1.11%.
Ministry of Jal Shakti
Universal Access to Toilets in Rural Areas
Government had launched Swachh Bharat Mission  [SBM] with effect from 2nd October, 2014, with the aim to make the country Open Defecation Free  by providing access to toilets to all the rural households. For this, under the SBM, individual household latrines  are constructed for the households, which are used by all the members of the household including women. As reported by the States/UTs on the online Integrated Management Information System , more than 11 crore IHHLs have been constructed under the programme. All the villages in the country have already declared themselves ODF. As evidenced in the Swachh Survekshan Grameen 2022, 95.4% of rural households in the country, including the women in such households, have access to toilets.
To cater to the sanitation needs of the households who do not have space to construct an IHHL, of floating/migrant population, and at places of large congregation, etc, the SBM guidelines provide for construction of Community Sanitary Complexes  by the Gram Panchayats at a suitable location that is easily accessible to all and having adequate water availability. The CSCs should also have separate facilities for men and women. As reported by the States/UTs, 2.19 lakh CSCs have been constructed under the programme.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Shri Prahlad Singh Patel in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Update on COVID-19 Vaccine Availability in States/UTs
More than 192.88 Crore vaccine doses provided to States/UTs
More than 19.70 Crore balance and unutilized vaccine doses still available with States/UTs
The Union Government is committed to accelerating the pace and expanding the scope of COVID-19 vaccination throughout the country. The nationwide COVID 19 vaccination started on 16th January 2021. The new phase of universalization of COVID-19 vaccination commenced from 21st June 2021. The vaccination drive has been ramped up through availability of more vaccines, advance visibility of vaccine availability to States and UTs for enabling better planning by them, and streamlining the vaccine supply chain.
As part of the nationwide vaccination drive, Government of India has been supporting the States and UTs by providing them COVID Vaccines free of cost. In the new phase of the universalization of the COVID19 vaccination drive, the Union Government will procure and supply  75% of the vaccines being produced by the vaccine manufacturers in the country to States and UTs.
|
|
VACCINE DOSES
|
|

|
|
SUPPLIED
|
|
1,92,88,44,535
|
|
BALANCE AVAILABLE
|
|
19,70,98,585
More than 192.88 crore  vaccine doses have been provided to States/UTs so far through Govt. of India  and through direct state procurement category.
More than 19.70 Cr  balance and unutilized COVID Vaccine doses are still available with the States/UTs to be administered.
Ministry of Coal
Coal Ministry Organizes Talk on Evolution of Rural Electrification
As Part of AKAM Iconic Week Celebrations
To celebrate and commemorate the 75 years of Independence and as India enters into the Amrit Kaal, Ministry of Coal is organizing special events and programmes throughout the country from 7th to 11th March, 2022, as part of the “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav” Iconic Week celebrations.
The celebrations of the Iconic Week in the Ministry entered its fourth day today with the theme of Achievements@75. A talk on “Evolution of Rural Electrification Process in India: A Historical Perspective” was given by Prof Atul Kumar, JNU in the presence of Senior officers of the Ministry of Coal and CPSUs through virtual mode.
A Poem recitation contest on the theme Achievements@75 was organized in the Ministry. Officials of the Ministry participated in large numbers in the event.
A second phase of Blood Donation Camp was organised by the Ministry and large number of employees have donated blood like on the day of the inaugural function of AKAM Iconic Week celebrations.
AKAM Iconic week will continue till 11th March 2022 with a series of events and activities planned for the week.
Government of India is celebrating 75 years of Indian Independence “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav” to mark 75 years of progressive India and its elegant history. The official journey of AKAM commenced on 12th March, 2021 which kick-started a 75-week countdown to our 75th anniversary of independence and will end on 15th August 2023.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
India’s Cumulative COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage exceeds 189.81 Cr
Over 2.99 Cr 1st dose vaccines administered for age group 12-14 years
India's Active caseload currently stands at 19,688
3,545 new cases reported in the last 24 hours
Recovery Rate currently stands at 98.74%
Weekly Positivity Rate is presently at 0.79%
India’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage has exceeded 189.81 Cr  as per provisional reports till 7 am today. This has been achieved through 2,35,44,994 sessions.
COVID-19 vaccination for the age group 12-14 years was started on 16 March, 2022. So far, more than 2.99 Cr  adolescents have been administered with the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine. Similarly, the COVID-19 precaution dose administration for age group 18-59 years also started from 10th April, 2022 onwards.
The break-up of the cumulative figure as per the provisional report till 7 am today include:
|
|
Cumulative Vaccine Dose Coverage
|
|
HCWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
1,04,05,505
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
1,00,21,230
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
48,82,761
|
|
FLWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
1,84,16,372
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
1,75,47,929
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
78,10,574
|
|
Age Group 12-14 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
2,99,46,931
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
88,48,920
|
|
Age Group 15-18 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
5,86,32,450
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
4,28,97,083
|
|
Age Group 18-44 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
55,59,72,104
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
48,04,83,216
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
2,34,305
|
|
Age Group 45-59 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
20,29,75,086
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
18,85,35,769
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
7,16,433
|
|
Over 60 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
12,69,06,067
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
11,74,76,961
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
1,54,42,999
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
2,90,87,072
|
|
Total
|
|
1,89,81,52,695
India’s Active Caseload currently stands at 19,688. Active cases now constitute 0.05% of the country's total Positive Cases.
Consequently, India’s recovery rate stands at 98.74%. 3,549 patients have recovered in the last 24 hours and the cumulative tally of recovered patients  is now at 4,25,51,248.
3,545 new cases were reported in the last 24 hours.
The last 24 hours saw a total of 4,65,918 COVID-19 tests being conducted. India has so far conducted over 83.98 Cr  cumulative tests.
Weekly Positivity Rate in the country currently stands at 0.79% and the Daily Positivity rate is also reported to be 0.76%.